The Russian diving vessel Uglich initiated survey of the grounded tanker Araks in Caspian Sea off Cape Sandy in Karakiya district, Kazakhstan. The divers will inspect the underwater condition of the hull and will consider the removal of the wreck from the shallows. The grounded tanker Araks is threat to the marine environment of the Caspian Sea. The local authorities followed inspection of the vessel and estimated that there was no immediate risk for sinking or caused oil leak. However, according to their Russian counter-parts, the ship raises the risk of causing significant environmental damage to the marine environment of the Caspian Sea, as on board there are over 550 tons of oil products, waste oil, bilge water and contaminated soil.

After several calls to the shipowner of the grounded tanker by the Russian and Kazakhstan’s authorities, there was no reaction. After almost two months being stuck into the shallow, the Marine Rescue Service Rosmorrechflot initiated the salvage operation and dispatched the diving vessel Uglich to inspect the underwater condition of the tanker. Refloating is considered for recent days.

The Russian vessel Uglich (IMO: 9587403) is used by divers and managed by Caspian branch of Marine Rescue Service Rosmorrechflot. The ship has overall length of 39.00 m, moulded beam of 8.00 m and maximum draft of 2.50 m. The deadweight of the ship is 45 DWT and the gross tonnage is 367 GRT.

The reefer crude carrier Araks (IMO: 8909862) is owned and operated by the Russian shipping company Trans-Caspian, which is headquartered in Makhachkala. The vessel has overall length of 49.00 m, beam of 9.00 m and draft of 3.80 m. The gross tonnage is 617 GRT.